Emmental, the king of cheeses from Switzerland! Read more about this unique cheese

Emmental is one of the commonly consumed cheeses, but few people know the history or production process behind it!

This article brings you all the important information about this great semi-hard cheese!

Learn to enjoy it perfectly!

What is Emmental?

It is an aromatic, sweet, semi-hard cheese with a wonderfully complex, complex flavor. Its domain is notes of ripe fruit and hazelnuts, it is without traces of acidity and is characterized by an even crust with a firm and dense body.

This cheese is considered an integral part of Swiss heritage. It comes from the Swiss Emme Valley, where the roots of its production go back to the 13th century.

Emmental has a protected designation, which requires it to be made from fresh, unpasteurized milk from cows fed exclusively on grass and hay.

This cheese is aged for at least four months, but this time can be up to 18 months.

Where and how is Emmental produced?

The traditional cheese is only produced in the west-central canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Production begins on pastures where local cows feed on grass and hay. This diet gives Swiss cheese its distinctive sweet taste.

Natural whey and rennet are added to unpasteurized milk, which triggers the formation of curds.

The curd is then separated, placed in molds and drained of excess whey.

The molds are then salted and left for the aging process. After at least 2 months, the cheese acquires its properties.

Emmental without a trademark is also produced in France and Germany or also in the United States. Cheese without this designation is softer and lacks the taste characteristics of the traditional Swiss.

Nutritional values of emmental (per 100 g)

Health benefits

• The bacteria used for fermentation reduce inflammation
• They support the crushing of the small intestine and delay the aging process
• At the same time, it contains a high proportion of probiotics, which are an important building block for building strong immunity

How to use Emmental in the kitchen?

Other possible pairings

Wine

• White – Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Jura Blanc, ice wines
• Red – Merlot, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, Shiraz

Beer

• Bock, Lagers, Light Beer, Stout, Weiss

Meat

• Ham, prosciutto
• Beef, poultry, pork

Fruit

• Apples, pears, figs, grapes, dried fruit

What to replace emmental with?

Gruyère , which has a more pronounced taste, will fulfill its purpose. Although it is slightly less aromatic, it offers a similar taste and also dissolves easily.

You can also try other Alpine cheeses such as Fontina and Raclette .

Storage

To store the cheese in the refrigerator, wrap it in waxed or parchment paper and place it in a ziplock bag or plastic container.

Emmental can be kept in the fridge for up to six weeks.

It can also be frozen for up to three months without affecting its taste and texture. Thaw the cheese overnight in the refrigerator before using.